Read by Arianna Huffington, Marc Benioff, Michael Bloomberg and 6 others
What books does Michael Bloomberg recommend?
Michael Bloomberg built a financial-data empire, led New York City for three terms, and now channels a data-driven approach into global philanthropy, and his book recommendations span all of it. This collection assembles 28 titles from his Twitter account, book blurbs and forewords he has written, and profile interviews, weighted toward society and politics, history, business, biography, and leadership. His top pick is Ray Dalio's Principles: Life and Work, which he says everyone with goals and dreams can learn from. The list also holds a boyhood favorite, Esther Forbes's Johnny Tremain, which he credits with sparking a love of history at an early age, along with Robert Iger's The Ride of a Lifetime and Walter Isaacson's Leonardo da Vinci. Governance, innovation, climate, and the craft of building institutions run through his choices, a portrait of a builder who reads to lead.
Last updated February 2026 · Every recommendation cited to its original source.
byRay Dalio
2017592 Pages“Ray Dalio’s market acumen is legendary, but it was creating and living by a set of principles that allowed him to reach the top. Everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray’s approach.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb / Principles.com
byEsther Forbes
1943320 Pages(132,000)
“My favorite book growing up was 'Johnny Tremain,' a story about a teenage messenger & spy during the Revolution. I developed a love for history at an early age.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Official Twitter Account
Read by Brian Chesky, Michael Bloomberg, Patrick Bet-David and 1 others
The Ride of a Lifetime
Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company
byRobert Iger
2019272 Pages“Bob Iger's story is a testament to the idea that in America, if you work hard and pursue a dream, you really can achieve it.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Official Twitter Account
byWalter Isaacson
2017624 Pages“Given my fascination with Leonardo, I was eager to read Leonardo da Vinci, Walter Isaacson’s new biography... Walter—a talented journalist and author I’ve gotten to know over the years—did a great job pulling it all together.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Gates Notes Guest Review
byJohn le Carré
1977624 Pages“It's 600 pages, it's mostly description, there is almost nothing that happens. But it's fascinating!”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: New York Magazine Interview
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
A George Smiley Novel
byJohn le Carré
2011400 PagesSource: New York Magazine Reporting
The Start-up of You
Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform Your Career
byReid Hoffman, Ben Casnocha
2012272 Pages“When @LinkedIn co-founder @ReidHoffman gives career advice, the world listens... it’s a must-read for anyone looking to carve out their career path.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Official Twitter Account
Read by Steve Jobs, Jensen Huang, Jeff Bezos and 5 others
The Innovator's Dilemma
When New Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
byClayton M. Christensen
1997288 Pages“Absolutely brilliant. Clayton Christensen provides an insightful analysis of changing technology and its importance to a company's future success.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: New York Magazine Profile
Frenemies
The Epic Disruption of the Ad Business (and Everything Else)
byKen Auletta
2018384 Pages“You don't want to miss Ken Auletta's new book 'Frenemies' – a provocative look at the ongoing shift in global advertising.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Official Twitter Account
Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World
A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World
byScott Harrison
2018336 Pages“If you've ever dreamed of changing careers or changing the world, read this book.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb
Brotopia
Breaking Up the Boys' Club of Silicon Valley
byEmily Chang
2018288 Pages“An important new book about gender equality in Silicon Valley”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Official Twitter Account
Read by Michael Bloomberg, Bryan Johnson, Charlie Kirk and 4 others
The Coddling of the American Mind
How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure
byGreg Lukianoff, Jonathan Haidt
2018352 Pages“The future of our democracy requires us to understand what’s happening and why—so that we can find solutions and take action. Reading The Coddling of the American Mind is a great place to start.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb
Beer School
Bottling Success at the Brooklyn Brewery
bySteve Hindy, Tom Potter
2005304 Pages“In essence, this is the story of starting a beer business from scratch in New York City... I give Steve and Tom’s book an A++!”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Foreword by Michael Bloomberg
Plagues and the Paradox of Progress
Why the World Is Getting Healthier in Worrisome Ways
byThomas J. Bollyky
2018280 Pages“Bollyky’s book can help to save many lives... Global health priorities must also include the noncommunicable diseases and associated health risks.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: CFR Book Endorsement
Keeping At It
The Quest for Sound Money and Good Government
byPaul Volcker, Christine Harper
2018304 Pages“The book highlights Paul's extraordinary career and personal integrity, as well as his belief in the need for better governance.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Official Twitter Account
The New Digital Age
Reshaping the Future of People, Nations and Business
byEric Schmidt, Jared Cohen
2013368 Pages“Few people in the world are doing more to imagine—and build—the new digital age than Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb
Where Are the Customers' Yachts?
or A Good Hard Look at Wall Street
byFred Schwed Jr.
2006208 Pages“The more things change, the more they remain the same. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Bloomberg Press Edition Blurb
Read by Barack Obama, Michael Bloomberg, Ryan Holiday and 2 others
byRobert A. Caro
19741336 PagesSource: New York Magazine Interview
It's How We Play the Game
Build a Business. Take a Stand. Make a Difference.
byEd Stack
2019320 Pages“Ed Stack’s story—told with honesty and a deep sense of corporate responsibility—shows that you can build a great business and stand up for what you believe in.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb
The Resilience Dividend
Being Strong in a World Where Things Go Wrong
byJudith Rodin
2014384 Pages“Judith Rodin’s groundbreaking work at the Rockefeller Foundation is helping cities adapt to a changing climate–and a changing world.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb
If Mayors Ruled the World
Dysfunctional Nations, Rising Cities
byBenjamin R. Barber
2013416 Pages“A provocative look at how cities can and do lead from the front in addressing the most pressing issues of our time.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb / Yale University Press
Civic Pioneers
Local Stories from a Changing America, 1895-1915
byGretchen Dykstra
2019256 Pages“From big cities to rural towns, Pioneers is a smart new look at America’s history of local innovation--by someone who has helped lead it.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb
Brain Gain
Rethinking U.S. Immigration Policy
byDarrell M. West
2011182 Pages“West understands that more than any stimulus or bailout, the most important step we can take to strengthen America’s long-term economic health is passing comprehensive immigration reform.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb / Brookings
Urban Green
Innovative Parks for Resurgent Cities
byPeter Harnik
2010208 Pages“Peter Harnik reveals how the push to preserve and promote our nation's urban parks is one of the most exciting frontiers in urban planning.”
— Michael Bloomberg
Source: Book Blurb / Island Press
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Frequently asked questions
What books does Michael Bloomberg recommend?
His 28 picks include Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio, Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes, The Ride of a Lifetime by Robert Iger, Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson, and The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré.
What is Michael Bloomberg's most recommended book?
His top pick is Principles: Life and Work by Ray Dalio, which he praises for how living by a set of principles allowed Dalio to reach the top, saying "everyone with goals and dreams can learn from Ray's approach."
Where do Michael Bloomberg's book recommendations come from?
They are drawn from his official Twitter account, the many book blurbs and forewords he has written for other authors, and interviews and profiles, including a New York Magazine feature that surfaced his love of John le Carré novels.
Has Michael Bloomberg written any books?
Yes. He has authored two books listed here: Climate of Hope, on tackling climate change through cities and markets, and his memoir Bloomberg by Bloomberg, which recounts building his financial-data company and his approach to business and leadership.
What subjects does Michael Bloomberg read most?
His recommendations concentrate on society and politics, history, and business strategy, with strong biography and leadership threads. They span governance, innovation, climate, urban policy, and the stories of the people who built major institutions.
All 28 Books Michael Bloomberg Has Recommended
- Principles: Life and Work · Ray Dalio
- Johnny Tremain · Esther Forbes
- The Ride of a Lifetime · Robert Iger
- Leonardo da Vinci · Walter Isaacson
- The Honourable Schoolboy · John le Carré
- Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy · John le Carré
- The Start-up of You · Reid Hoffman
- The Innovator's Dilemma · Clayton M. Christensen
- Frenemies · Ken Auletta
- Thirst: A Story of Redemption, Compassion, and a Mission to Bring Clean Water to the World · Scott Harrison
- Brotopia · Emily Chang
- The Coddling of the American Mind · Greg Lukianoff
- Beer School · Steve Hindy
- Plagues and the Paradox of Progress · Thomas J. Bollyky
- Keeping At It · Paul Volcker
- The New Digital Age · Eric Schmidt
- Where Are the Customers' Yachts? · Fred Schwed Jr.
- The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York · Robert A. Caro
- It's How We Play the Game · Ed Stack
- The Resilience Dividend · Judith Rodin
- If Mayors Ruled the World · Benjamin R. Barber
- Civic Pioneers · Gretchen Dykstra
- Brain Gain · Darrell M. West
- Urban Green · Peter Harnik
- Legacy of Honor · Alvin Townley
- Exploring Historic Dutch New York · Gajus Scheltema
- Gratitude in Low Voices · Dawit Gebremichael Habte
- Fight Like a Mother · Shannon Watts